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Cannot edit some text files in Dropbox on iPhone?
In the Dropbox app on iPhone SE, I can open all my text files, but in some of them I do not get the Edit icon (looks like a cursor) at bottom left, so cannot edit them.
In others, I get the Edit icon at bottom left, and can edit them.
In both cases the text files are from the Notepad app on my Windows 10 PC.
When I cannot edit a text file, the settings and menus that I can call up do not seem to provide any solution.
Am I missing something?
Mike
K-C-L (and others following)
Thanks! You're onto the right cause, and solution ...well, workaround.
Dropbox App editor won't handle either certain characters (extended) or Windows Notepad default ANSI files. A pretty obvious shortcoming. These get rendered in a non-editable file - which looks like monospaced courier, but doesn't make a space for each <spacebar>. Go figure.
Anyway, the workarounds are:
- Convert all your Notepad ANSI files to UTF-8 (open file in Notepad, Save As..., dropdown box -> choose UTF-8 and Save. (Save all new files as UTF-8). This is what I am doing.
- Open the file in Dropbox App. Select a word, then Select All. Copy. Create new file (Text). Paste into the window, name, and Create. Kinda klugy.
Those both work - I've tested.
- There is a way to change Notepad default to UTF-8, which would prevent this from re-occurring, but you have to touch the Registry (I don't want to do that)
- Download Notepad++ which apparently can set a default without touching the Registry (cannot verify). Reportedly Notepad++ takes less resources too (don't know about that either)
OK, a PITA. But do-able. I guess.
But, the real problem is Dropbox App cannot show text files (.txt) in monospaced font (e.g. Menlo or Courier). This is basically a disqualifier for Dropbox for musicians who use text files to create Tab, or Notation files, or chord charts. That's a lot of people left out in the cold. Since they all share files, so Dropbox could / should own this market, but have shut themselves out.
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Sanchez
or
.@Sanchez
I think one of my ticket numbers (which you asked for earlier in this thread, and which you stated do exist though I still have not received an email from support) might be 7781911. That's because your survey people contacted me, and in the contact message referenced this number as a ticket number.
Cardinal2B
BTW there seems to be a thread about not receiving emails from support...
- Sanchez
Dropbox Community Moderator
I started all this so i am popping back in.
The Dropbox Team have not yet told us why we can edit some .txt files but not others.
Moving on, I guess that I can no longer edit .txt files on Dropbox anyway, because I have removed the Dropbox folder from my PC and I have removed the Dropbox app from my iPhone. Nowadays I just go into the Dropbox website with a password and take care to sign out when I leave. So I cannot edit .txt files on Dropbox, is that right, please?
What is "Paper", and is it in any way helpful to my situation?
Mike
- This works. So now I see all my requests for help... and replies asking for stuff. So earlier today I sent lots of files in...and revived the first ticket (w/ Hannah). Have not heard back yet, but expect to...
Thanks for your help Sanchez - Sanchez
- Sanchez
- My ticket number is 7823753
Thanks! - Sanchez
Dropboxer - I started this thread, but Cardinal2B has already opened several Tickets about this same problem, so I am hoping to see the final reply of the Dropbox team here anyway.
If I open a Ticket it would only be duplicating Cardinal2B's complaints.
As already described, I am now using Dropbox via the website only, so , as you say, I cannot edit .txt files on Dropbox.
"Paper" will not edit .txt files, if I am understanding you correctly?
Mike
- Sanchez
